Friday, October 28, 2016

Gujiya is a sweet usually made during Holi festival. Traditionally sweets are made in India on any auspicious occasion, be it a festival or a celebration or a family re-union.. sweet is a must. Gujiyas are made with a variety of fillings like dessicated coconut, dry fruits, mawa etc etc....
My favourite sweet is mawa gujiya from Pulla Reddy Sweets in Andhra Pradesh which is a speciality Nothing can beat the taste of this gujiya. I am so happy that my gujiyas were quite similar in taste.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Dal is such a versatile dish that can be made with endless variations. This is a recipe from Andhra. Pappu means thick dal. This can be made plain or with the addition of any greens or vegetables to it. Today's recipe is with brinjals.

Method:
1. Wash and soak toor dal for 2-3 hours.
2. Boil dal with 2 cups water, salt, turmeric powder and ginger garlic paste.
3. When it is half done add the tomatoes, green chillies, methi and coriander leaves and brinjal pieces.
4. When the brinjals are done stir in the tamarind juice finally and check the thickness of dal. Add water if needed and just mash lightly with the ladle.
5. Heat a little oil and add the tempering ingredients.
6. When they crackle stir them into the prepared dal.
Serve with plain boiled rice and any poriyal. Pour a spoonful of desi ghee on the rice.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Mutton or chicken cooked with aloo bukharas (Indian plums) is a Royal dish which originates from Nizam province. It is quite popular in Awadhi Cuisine too. Usually dry and fresh plums both are used in this preparation but I have used only fresh plums which have given the curry a lovely golden colour and a mild sweet and tangy flavour. I skipped adding the dried plums as they make the gravy more sweeter.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Crumpets are griddle/ skillet cooked leavened and spongy round breads which are an English tea-time favourite. These are very different from English muffins. "Classic crumpets have a smooth round bottom, and a top riddled with small holes. They are served fresh from the griddle or toasted, and can be topped in jam or clotted cream, although butter is the traditional crumpet topping.
Crumpets are never split, unlike English muffins, and they have a slightly bland flavor and spongy texture which absorbs butter remarkably well. The concept of toasting crumpets over a fire is often associated with companionable rainy days in British fiction.
For people who are still confused about the differences between crumpets and English muffins, remember that crumpets have a holey top, they are not split, and they are far less "bready" than English muffins tend to be. It is believed that the English muffin may have been invented by someone who was trying to replicate the crumpet, which explains the commonalities between the two. The recipes for English muffins and crumpets are also very different, with crumpets being made from batter and English muffins being made from a dough."

Friday, October 21, 2016

This is a variation of Baba Ganoush, a traditional Middle Eastern dip which is made by grilling the egg plant on direct flame, charcoal or grill, while this method is quicker using the pressure cooker. Here we have browned the sliced eggplant in the base of the cooker. When you make this version you will see how simple it is and the taste is very much the same.

1. Wash the eggplant and peel in alternative strips, keeping some for colour. Slice them lengthwise into two.

2. In a pressure cooker pour olive oil and place the eggplant face downwards and allow it to roast on low flame for few minutes.

3. Now flip over the eggplant.

4. Throw in the garlic cloves, add a little salt and water to cook it. Close the lid of the cooker. After one whistle when the pressure builds up, reduce the flame and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.

5. Let out the steam and open the cooker Add the tahini, parsley, lemon juice and olives. Mix and check the salt.

6. Grind it coarsely using a hand grinder.

8. Remove the dip in a serving bowl and garnish with olive oil, sliced olives and a sprig of parsley.
Serve with pita bread.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Indian meals are incomplete without a raita. It is a simple preparation of curd / yogurt mixed with some vegetables or fruits. For flavoring we can have a simple one with salt and pepper or add chaat masala, bhuna jeera. Honey or a little sugar can be added to balance the flavours. This season the pomegranates are so lovely, juicy and bright red in colour. I have made some raita with this fruit.

Ingredients:

Pomegranate ... 1

Curd/ yogurt ... 1 cup

Salt .............. as needed

Roasted cumin powder / bhuna jeera ... 1 tsp

Chilli powder ...... 1 pinch

Chaat masala ....... 1/4 tsp (optional)

Coriander leaves.. 1 tbsp (finely chopped)

Method:

1. Separate the seeds / kernels and set aside.

2. Use half the kernels to make juice by simply crushing them if they are very juicy or you may grind them.

3. Whisk the curd using this juice to the required consistency.

4. Add the remaining pomegranate seeds and the flavouring ingredients mentioned in the list or any of your choice.

1. Place the cleaned chicken breast between plastic sheets and flatten it with a meat hammer.Season it with salt and black pepper. Set aside to marinate.

2. In a pan heat 2 tbsps of oil and saute the garlic paste. Add the fresh methi and coriander leaves, green chillies, spice powders, salt and stir-fry. Now add the crumbled paneer and mix well until the flavours are incorporated. Spoon this paneer mixture on the flattened chicken breast.

3. Roll it very carefully and tightly.

4. Place the chicken roll in a cling film and roll it like a chocolate securing the two ends.

5. Roll it again in a foil wrap and seal the edges by twisting them.

6. Now immerse it in the boiling water. Simmer for 8-10 minutes.

7. Meanwhile to prepare the lehsuni palak, take the blanched palak leaves and puree them coarsely. In a pan heat a tbsp of oil and fry the chopped garlic pieces until light brown. Add the salt, spice powders and palak puree. Stir fry it for a couple of minutes. Set aside

8.Now carefully unwrap the steamed chicken roulade.

9.Heat a little oil and shallow fry it turning the sides until it is light brown. This is just to give it a nice colour. You may skip this step if you want to serve it as it is after steaming.

10. Slice it carefully. Spoon the lahsuni palak in a serving platter and place the chicken roulade slices on it.